Finding 501191 (2023-002)

-
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-10-01
Audit: 323454
Organization: Restart Housing Services, Inc. (MO)
Auditor: Cbiz CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The reserve account for replacement funds is not interest-bearing, violating HUD requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HUD's mandate for maintaining an interest-bearing replacement reserve account.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Transfer the reserve balance to a new interest-bearing account and ensure ongoing compliance with HUD regulations.

Finding Text

• Identification of the federal program AL #14.181, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Section 811 Capital Advance 2015 • Criteria The compliance supplement states that "Owners shall establish and maintain a replacement reserve to aid in funding extraordinary maintenance and repair and replacement of capital items. The replacement reserve funds must be deposited in a federally insured depository in an interestbearing account. All earnings including interest on the reserve must be added to the reserve. An amount as required by HUD will be deposited monthly in the reserve fund (Regulatory Agreement, item 5 (a)). All disbursements from the reserve must be approved by HUD (24 CFR section 891.405)." • Condition As of December 31, 2023 the account maintained at a federally insured depository is not interest bearing. • Cause The Project did not verify that the account was interest bearing at the time it was opened and has not corrected this error. • Effect or potential effect The Project is not in compliance with the requirements set forth by HUD related to its reserve for replacement account. • Questioned costs None • Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. • Recommendation The Project should transfer its reserve for replacement balance to a new account within a federally insured financial institution which is interest bearing. • Views of responsible officials The Organization’s agrees with this finding and has implemented additional accounting policies and procedures, as well as staffing changes, in order to correct these issues. See the response included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Management concurs with the findings and is working to ensure all employees adhere to control procedures and compliance requirements set by HUD. For finding 2023-002, the Organization is working to transfer the funds into an interest-bearing account.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.181 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities $79,185